The Asiatic lion news archive - 2004

Stories relating to the Asiatic lion and updates on the captive breeding programme from 2004.

DATELINE: April 1, 2004
Zoo loses lone Asiatic lion

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Zoo woke up to a sad Wednesday when it lost one of its prime inmate 'Luv' - an Asiatic lion - to multiple complications.

Seven-year-old Luv had been fighting fit until March 2 when he first displayed signs of illness. Keepers became alarmed when he refused to move and left his meal untouched.

After a preliminary treatment within the enclosure for a couple of days, he was shifted to the hospital on March 4.

Zoo doctors swung into action right away and formed a committee to deal with the ailing lion. They were in constant touch with experts and veterinarians of zoos in Hyderabad, Junagadh and Nandan Kanan.

"Despite our best efforts, we could not save him. It's a big loss," said zoo director B S Bonal.

"The post mortem has revealed that Luv had developed a cyst in both his lungs and liver, besides a haemorrhage of the brain," said zoo vet Dr Panneer Selvam.

He claimed that all the vital organs of the lion had stopped functioning. Samples from his different organs has been collected and sent to Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly.

Meanwhile, negotiations are afoot to get another male from the Junagadh Zoo.

Source: Times of India